IBM B2B Integrator Reviews

There are several use cases because IBM B2B Integrator is an integrator that allows our customers to process files. I have use cases depending on the industry. For example, in logistics and retail, it's been used above all for EDI file transfer to connect our customers with their third party in order to interchange purchase orders, file advisements, and so on. In IBM B2B Integrator, it's normalized to standard EDI messages.

In banks, IBM B2B Integrator has had a new mapper added in the platform for the last six or seven years, which is IBM Transformation Extender. For example, in the financial environment, it supports SWIFT messages. It's used with the B2B communication layer. It's possible to interchange files with several different communication protocols, with security, and so on. With the translator, it's possible to adapt the format incoming from the third party, the external third party, to SWIFT messages. Financial customers typically work with mainframes, and in mainframes, they use flat files. The new standards that are on XML must be normalized to this flat file, and we accomplish this with IBM B2B Integrator.

The main feature of IBM B2B Integrator is that it's the most complete integrator on the market. You can integrate every type of protocol, every type of custom layer, and every type of security level. You can integrate or interchange with external third parties using different layers of security. It's the most secure product in the market.

The platform is comprehensive but tends to be the most expensive on the market. It can do whatever is needed with every type of file, but it has been expensive for small-medium customers. It's focused primarily on medium enterprise and large enterprise customers. The new versions are very REST-API-oriented, making it very easy to integrate with external applications to expose processes. The hybrid version is quite powerful because the use of containers is very dynamic.

The support for various communication protocols and data formats in IBM B2B Integrator is the power of the platform. It can expose every type of protocol. The platform out-of-the-box supports more than 40 protocols. Additionally, customization is possible. For example, one of the proprietary protocols in the market is XCOM. While XCOM is not supported out-of-the-box, we can create a custom layer to support it using external scripts or Java classes and integrate this other protocol in IBM B2B Integrator.

It's about moving data from one point to another, whether internally or externally. We use it primarily to transfer files and objects for B2B integrations with products supporting EDI. IBM developed it years ago but hasn't kept pace with modern cloud support compared to newer products on the market.

IBM B2B Integrator is primarily used when I want to send a file from one partner to another and I need to make changes like renaming the file, do some processing or automation, or other modifications. We use B2B Integrator to create maps or business processes that can rename files, pull files from one remote server, or send files to another remote server. If a partner sends a file in one format (like XML) but needs it in another format (like CSV), we can use mapping to change the file format.

There are also different tabs where we can check the status of file transfers and business processes, and we can monitor adapters and services in the link. Rules can be used to control where files are placed, like in specific mailboxes or folders.

B2B Integrator integrates with Sterling File Gateway, so the two applications can work together.

For me, business process creation is the most valuable. If the consumer wants any changes in file name or file core, or they want to automate file processing, we can use business processes. I really enjoy creating business processes.

I have used the tool in different projects for our clients. It is a middleware tool that works between two members. It is used for integration purposes.

The product makes it easy to work with REST API. We are onboarding partners. We create mailboxes and set up everything in SFC. When we create a generic process for mail filters, it takes a huge amount of code and time. When we use REST API, the data is in JSON format. Five to six lines of code is enough to onboard a partner. The solution is fast and easy to use. A beginner will take time to understand the product. With proper guidance and training, we can understand it easily.

IBM B2B Integrator is a great tool, robust, reliable, low-maintenance, and ideal solution.

The product is an ideal tool for extracting templates and supporting all B2B EDI standards.

Our company uses the solution for 50% of our sales orders and our integrations with 100 trading partners. Company wide, we have 100 users. 

The best feature is that many companies use the solution so there is a lot of peer support. You can talk to people from different companies who understand and can help you troubleshoot. 

IBM B2B Integrator is primarily used for EDI transmissions, audits, and VDA transactions.

We have application developers, EDI mapping experts, system administrators, and architects using this solution.

The solution is deployed on-premises.

The most valuable features are the flexibility and the range of EDI standards that IBM Sterling can handle. It's easy to design a process and streamline the VDA transaction. There are different possibilities for connectivity. IBM handles almost all communication protocols and comes with an adapter. It's easy to set up. The range of connectivity and data handling is really good compared to other products.

I work for a bank, and we've used IBM B2B for internal and external transfers at all levels. In the past 10 years, we've used it in every way imaginable. It transfers files from point A to point B.

B2B Integrator has made us more secure. People who used to transfer confidential data through emails can now set up file transfers within 48 hours through an automated system using this product without any security risks.